the beginning after the end perfect duo

A Swirl

"We should... get moving already, shan't we?" Tom's voice cracked, his usual composure stripped away, leaving only a faint whisper. His lips trembled as though the words had fought their way out.

The image of the little girl clung to him like a shadow, her small, tear-streaked face buried against his chest. The memory tore through him, raw and unrelenting, as if her sobs had etched themselves onto his soul. The weight of it all—the crushing responsibility—threatened to suffocate him.

Jasmine, always the first to compose herself, answered him quietly.
"That’s probably a good idea," she said, her gaze meeting his. Her eyes, once so guarded and cold, carried something new now—something soft. Warmth radiated from her in a way that almost made him want to crumble.

She understood him. She didn’t need to say it aloud; her understanding wrapped around him like a steadying hand. Somehow, in her silence, she carried part of his burden, if only for a moment.

Ahead of them, Mira moved without hesitation. Detached from the emotions choking the others, she stepped toward the tunnel’s exit with firm, unflinching strides. Jasmine followed, her movements slower but purposeful, while Tom lingered for a moment, waiting for Lilia.

Lilia trailed behind them, her small frame barely illuminated by the flickering torchlight. Her skin was as pale as moonlight, a ghostly reflection of the vibrant girl he once knew. Her silence screamed louder than words ever could, and Tom found himself unable to look at her.

He had almost lost her.

The thought wrapped itself around his throat, squeezing until it was hard to breathe. She wasn’t just someone he had to protect; she was Lilia—the girl he had shared four years of his life with, the one he had watched grow stronger with each passing day. She was the girl he had taught to harness magic, the girl who laughed and teased him, the girl who had unknowingly become the center of his quiet world.

And now, he had almost failed her.

Tom swallowed hard, forcing his eyes forward as they entered the tunnel. The darkness pressed against them, heavy and stifling. Flickers of firelight cast shifting shadows on the walls, each one more sinister than the last. The air was icy, prickling their skin despite the mana shields they wore.

Mira’s injured hand dripped blood as she walked. She clenched her teeth, determined to ignore the sharp, biting pain, though every so often, a faint sound escaped her—a reminder that she was still human, still vulnerable.

Jasmine, for all her usual strength, seemed unmoored. Her steps faltered, her usually upright posture slouched, and faint lines creased her brow. Her face, often smooth and stoic, now seemed almost fragile.

Tom let his eyes roam over each of them, taking in the silent language of their expressions. It was easier to focus on them, to read their struggles, than to face the storm raging inside him.
Later, he told himself. I’ll deal with it later. But deep down, he knew it wasn’t true.

Tom was now in the back of the pack, watching over everyone’s back. He promised himself to never let anything bad hurt these people.

Even though he was usually talkative—very talkative—now didn’t really seem like a good time for that. The only ones who noticed the difference in his behavior were Jasmine and Lilia. Lilia, however, couldn’t talk yet.

Jasmine, on the other hand, glanced in Tom’s direction. She slowed her pace until she was foot by foot with Tom. She slowly placed her hand on his shoulder, jolting him to a stop.

Tom figured what she’d talk about. Even though it was unusual for her to talk much, it indicated how panicked he looked.

"It’s not your fault, Tom. It’s no one’s fault, okay? I know I’m not the best at talking with people, but I can tell you this at least: What happened back there is exactly what happens in an adventure. There are always surprising events, unpredictable to say the least, and nothing could have prepared you for this. But what you can do now is to get stronger and to get your friend stronger as well."

Tom finally adjusted his mind. Jasmine was right—he had to let it go. Even though he clearly thought it wouldn’t leave him totally, what he should do was to get stronger, and stronger, and much better.

A few minutes later, and a dozen echoes later, the cold air that once flowed freely through the tunnel grew heavier. It carried with it a rusty, salty scent that lingered in the air—sharp, unsettling.

Jasmine and Mira were the first to notice it. Their eyes met in silent recognition before they both turned toward the front. Whatever it was that lingered in the air, whatever they sensed, it was dangerous.

The scent hit Tom’s nostrils next, sharp and distinct. Blood. The unmistakable metallic tang of it.

Tom’s face drained of color, becoming paler than Lilia’s, if that was even possible.

He felt the weight of the moment, the chill of dread creeping up his spine. He didn’t want to admit it, but deep down, he knew what it meant. He hoped, with all his heart, that he was wrong—that it wasn’t what he feared it was.

Tom, Jasmine, and Mira, their faces etched with grim determination, advanced toward the source of the mysterious scent. Lilia, oblivious to the horror that awaited them, followed closely behind.

"Stay by my side," Tom uttered, barely audible, avoiding eye contact with the girl.

She simply nodded, her head slowly moving up and down.

Once on the source of the scent, Tom’s eyes widened at the horrifying scene. Limbs lay on the floor, some close, some far, blood covering the whole cavern, and two blonde heads shone through the mess.

His stomach churned, his breath caught in his throat, and he was overcome by a wave of nausea. He closed Lilia’s eyes before she could see anything, and he explicitly told her not to peek. Jasmine’s body trembled for a quick second. Even she, who was very used to the life of an adventurer, couldn’t believe the scene her eyes laid upon. Just what kind of a monster does something like this? she thought.

Tom’s eyes quickly darted around the cavern, where he finally realized what had happened. What he feared.

Mira, seeing her teammates—or what remained of them—lying on the ground, couldn’t handle the gravity of the moment. She fell on her knees, gasping for air.

The scene was eerily silent, broken only by Lilia’s hesitant question.
"Wh... What’s wrong, Tom?" she barely muttered.

Tom’s mind snapped back to reality. If Uto was responsible for this horrific scene, he had to get out of there, and fast.

"Let’s get out of here!" he pushed himself to yell, to run before any danger could happen. His heart was melting from the inside. He was in no shape, yet he had to be strong. He had to make sure his family was safe.

Mira didn’t respond; she just started laughing—laughing hysterically.

And that’s when he remembered his brother. Arthur wasn’t with him. He had thought previously that Arthur was strong enough to deal with anyone, but he was no match for the sick psychopathic ass named Uto.

Just when he thought he had control over himself, the idea of his brother potentially dying cracked through his façade.

Emotions swirled up in him again—a rising tornado threatening to overwhelm him. He wondered how Arthur was able to hide these emotions in the first place. How could someone even do such a feat?

His mind focused again on the situation. He had to find his brother and leave, and that was it. That’s what he had to do.

Jasmine, who was the most disciplined, took Lilia’s arm and kept her away from all the mess.

While a looming shadow extended over the cavern, accompanied by lunatic laughter.

Tom, finally under control again, focused his eyes on the shadow. They widened like the sun.